Dreamgirls In Concert-why NO Holiday?

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:11pm

What IS the actual reason Ms. Holiday was not in this concert and the subsequent cd? I believe I recall Jennifer Holiday saying that she "was not asked," but I could be having a false memory. Does anyone know the genuine reason Jennifer Holiday did not do DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT.

I saw the original Broadway production with Jennifer Holiday and then with Roz Ryan. I then saw the minimalist revival a few years later on Broadway with Lillias White. A number of years after that I saw a tour with Lynette Dupre.

They were all "better than very good," and for me the role was best "acted" by Ms. White. However, the role was best sung and electrified by Ms. Holiday. Roz Ryan was excellent and her performance was somewhat similar to Holiday's. Ryan actually acted better than Holiday and her singing was greeeeat, but not as great as Holiday. Ms. Ryan also seemed just a tad too long in the tooth for the part, especially following in the footsteps of the then 21 year old Jennifer Holiday. Lynette Dupre's singing shook the theater and she had some fabulous moments as Effie.

However, Clearly for me, the most consistent extraordinary vocal performance I have ever seen or heard of Effie, was Ms. Holiday's. Her acting left much to be desired, but she won the Tony anyway, she deserved it. Her performance was as electric as the original production was technically dazzling.

Lillias White's Effie is NOT AS effective on the DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT cd as she was performing the part in the musical in the theater. In particular, her "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going," truly disappoints. I recall when I first saw Ms. White do the first revival that she performed this number excellently. I remember thinking that she didn't set the "place on fire" with the number as Ms. Holiday had and as indeed Roz Ryan had, but she was more than excellent and the audience certainly enjoyed her at least as much as I did.
Why wasn't Jennifer Holiday in DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT? Does anyone know the definitive response? Thanks. :)

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:14pm

I do believe she (and the rest of the original cast) was not asked.

And I would like to point out that Ms. White still sings the score in its original key, while Ms. Holliday takes 'And I'm Telling You' down...perhaps a whole step?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:17pm

I'm actually glad that she wasn't asked. We've already heard her do it and we have it on record and film. Even though I don't like Lilias White's interpretation (too many improvised notes) it is good to have another interpretation recorded.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:19pm

Lillias White does a wonderful job with that song on the CD, in my opinion. Holliday is not an easy act to follow, particularly with the song that maybe has ruined more reputations than anything this side of "Gethsemane" or "Pity The Child".

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:19pm

Yeah I think its as simple as she wasn't asked. Seth Rudetsky who put together the concert is close friends with Lillias White. That may have something to do with it.

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:20pm

Though I prefer Holliday's AND I AM TELLING YOU, White's I AM CHANGING and ONE NIGHT ONLY are unbeatable.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:26pm

thanks Robbiej,,,,I am trying to figure out the DEFINITIVE reason Holiday was not asked. If they were thinking fundraising or cd sales, Jennifer Holiday is certainly still a "bigger star name," than Ms. White. Tis a puzzlement. Even if any keychanges were necessary, I suspect this concert and subsequent cd would have been much better critically received, and the cd would most certainly have sold more copies. There are still lots of folks out there who will buy any cd with Jennifer Holiday's name attached to it. Most folks outside of the theaterworld are unfamiliar with Lillias White.

I recall the concert took place shortly after 9/11. And I believe it was a concert done on behalf of a charity, right? I am not positive. But, I certainly am confident that more profits would have been reaped with Jennifer Holiday. Her involvement would have made this much more of an event than it was and etc.

I suspect that someone at the "top" of putting this project together had a reason for "using" Ms. White as opposed to Jennifer Holiday. I am just very curious as to the reason. Obviously, there are at least a couple of people out there who know the DEFINITE answer. Perhaps the person at the "top" of this project had a falling out in the past with Ms. Holiday?????
I am hoping someone on this Board will find the response for me.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:28pm

Michael Bennett, how appropriate that YOU are the one to give what I suspect is the definitive response to my question. I thank you. :)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:31pm

WISH --

You are reading way too much into it. Seth Rudetsky put these concerts together for BCFA. Like anyone who puts together these projects, he calls his friends first. I don't think he had any goal to do a "reunion" concert and I'm pretty sure the CD came as a result of the concert rather then being the cause of the concert.

He hosts "Chatterbox" at Don't Tell Mama's -- you should just go sometime and ask him yourself. He's great fun.
Updated On: 4/5/05 at 02:31 PM

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:35pm

The concert was Sheryl Lee Ralphs idea and she wanted it to be a reunion and Seth ran with the idea and said he owed Lillias a favor.


It is kinda shady
If you know that you have the opportunity to get the obc knowing that it was an anniversary and the cast is getting old why would you get other people
Updated On: 4/5/05 at 02:35 PM

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:40pm

Reading too much into it may be the understatement of the century. Everyone can't do every show. He picked Lilias White. She was great. Yes, Holliday is a bigger name. So is Tom Cruise! WHY DIDN'T HE CAST TOM CRUISE?????

And you are overestimating Jennifer Holiday's name in this day and age, by the way. I don't think she's released an album in 8 years (And that one didn't sell well), and there are STILL people who greet any mention of her name with "IF she shows up" after her many years of unreliability. Of course, she might be laying the ground work for a fabulous come back (Like Effie herself) but till then, I think Jennifer Holliday is pretty much of a has-been.
Updated On: 4/5/05 at 02:40 PM

[SquaneishaWashington]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:56pm

Although Sheryl may have wanted a reunion....that is not where Seth got the idea...there was nothing shady about the concert.

It was simple as this: Seth and Lillias did a benefit together and Lillias sang "It's all over" and Seth flipped over how amazing it was and promised that somehow, someway, he would do Dreamgirls with Lillias. Since he has the hugest heart and does wonders for BCEFA and other charities....he shopped the idea around until the Actors Fund decided they'd do it. He then heard that Audra always wanted to play Deena, a role which she would probably never get cast in, and asked some other friends...friends of friends...with powerhouse voices...to do this one night only huge event...not a reunion..not a revival....just a gathering of amazing talent to sing this amazing show....and then, since the entire show was never recorded...Henry Kriger agreed to allow it to be permenantly archived.

Thats the simplicity of it all!

And it's OLD OLD news...

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 2:58pm

shes only a has been cause she has not been working?

If Jen was asked i really think she would do it.
she did every show in Atl

[LostLeander]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:13pm

White can emote circles around Holliday, though I feel like she strains a lot.
I like to sing along with White's "And I am Telling you.." because it is actually quite laughable.
Perhaps that's the point- for it to sound pathetic.

Holliday's is sheer vocal power.
However, I do LOOOOOVE White's "I Am Changing", though it is a key or two lower.
Again, Holliday still wows me everytime I hear her "I Am Changing" but White acts it much better, and her pathetic "ooh's and ahh's" in "And I am Telling You.." are restrained to pure emotion.
It's All Over remains my favorite track on the CD. I think.
I often sing every part when I'm alone (in the correct octaves, mind you), and it provides me with much pleasure.
I would've LOVED to hear Holliday do this one.
Pure bliss.

On a side note, Headley disappoints here.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:16pm

Heather Headley actually came across the best of all of them in the theatre. She was hilarious and got the best reviews by a mile.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:21pm

Best version of And I Am Telling You is Holiday's version live at the My Favorite Bway concert - absolutely thrilling.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:41pm

It is unfortunate that Lillias White's interpretation will be remembered with this concert. Noone was in good voice, including her. The concert was the week of 9/11. I dont remember being able to speak much let alone sing well that week. I believe that one of the men, Billy Porter I think, had to re-record half of his performance. Heather Headly sounds absolutely terrible and in pain much in her upper register, and Lillias is straining by the end of AIATYING.

I saw the original and the revival in the 90s. I loved everything about the original, including Ms. Holiday...but I returned to the revival several times, standing room, to see Ms. White's Effie. I do believe that her AIATTING is angrier than JH's which turns some off.

[Shirley Hemphill]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:42pm

I was there that night & there were tons of rumors or whatever floating around, but i really think what it came down to was that Seth is friends with Lillias & asked her.

I also remember there being audio problems that night -- so i know at least some of what's heard on the cd was re-recorded later...

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:44pm

Gothampc, I agree with you partly. I love just hearing the stuff done by "different voices." I have two cds of Into The Woods, 3 Sweeneys, six GYPSYS etc.........when I like a score, I love hearing it performed differently. so I am pleased in that respect...it is indeed more of a "new treat" than just revisiting an "old treat." :)

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 3:55pm

I really thank all you sweet people for all the info. I was clearly outta touch and not knowledgeable about this concert and you kind people have changed that.

I appreciate what everyone has written and if you go back to my original post, I think I agree with what EVERYone of you has written.

What a fabulous show DREAMGIRLS is. I never would have dreamed that after A CHORUS LINE, Michael Bennett would give us another musical "worthy of being on its own planet." He did it with DREAMGIRLS. His work was extraordinary.

How horrible for the world of theater that we lost him so young. I knew Michael Bennett very briefly and love him to this day. I think everyone fell in love with Michael Bennett. Enough for now with FOSSE and JEROME ROBBINS BROADWAY.
It is time for MICHAEL BENNETT'S MUSICALS and then it is time for GOWER'S CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 5:45pm

I recently bought the concert recording, and I think Headley sounds GREAT. I also love Audra Macdonald on this recording.
I agree WHite disappoints in "I'm telling you I'm not Going", but she does do a great job with her other two show stoppers.

I think we need some more of Darius de Haas on Broadway, but that's way off topic.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 5:50pm

Ms. Holiday is not a "HAS BEEN" she probably hasn't been working because she's had some problems and on top of that she's lost some weight and is looking really really really really good....she had a picture in Ebony Magazine performing somewhere and my own mom couldn't believe it was her she looks good. She's going to come just wait.

[Justice]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 7:08pm

I don't know if this has been stated but...

WISH
Brenda Braxton, who was in the original cast was also in the concert version. I believe she choreographed it, but I could be wrong.


and Goth...
too many improvised notes? Have you seen the sheet music to "And I'm Telling You"? Holiday improvises practically the whole song...I think you're just used to her renditions of it.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/5/05 at 7:49pm

I like the concert cast recording better than the original anyway. it's more complete. sure the OBC is fantastic, but if I want to listen to DREAMGIRLS I reach for the concert cast...

[Thetruth]

Posted: 4/6/05 at 3:03am

Seth was having fun with his friends, but he messed over that show. There is now way Heather Headley should've played Lorell. "Aint No Party" is excruciating. Don't even get me started on Tamara Tunie either. He called up his friends first? He needed to call the ones that could sing the right parts...
The only reason myself and many others support this recording is because the entire score has never been available. Had the OBC participated, the show would've been historical. I love Lilias, Audra, and Heather...but everybody wants to see the OBC. I hope they get a chance to get together for the next reunion.